Iconic Los Angeles Mountain Lion P-22 – ‘Compassionately Ethanized’

• After suffering from injuries and illness, mountain lion P-22 had to be put down on Saturday.
• Wildlife officials stated that there was no hope for a positive outcome in allowing P-22 to live.
• P-22 was 12 years of age at the time he died.

Wildlife officials announced that P-22, an iconic California mountain lion, was “compassionately put to death” on Saturday after suffering from multiple illnesses and injuries. 

P-22 — who spent much of his life at Griffith Park in Los Angeles — had been captured on Monday following suspicions that he was “exhibiting signs of distress,” the California Department of Fish and Wildlife announced.

According to a statement, the distress signals included the killing on November 9 in Hollywood Hills of a Chihuahua leashed in distress, the CDFW stated in a statement. P-22 attempted to kill second Chihuahua on December 8.

A series of tests on P-22, the mountain lion, revealed that he had suffered trauma to his right eye, head, and internal organs from a vehicle strike. Tests revealed that the mountain lion was suffering from multiple conditions, including arthritis, kidney disease, and parasitic skin infections all over his body.

“P-22’s advanced years, combined with chronic, severe, and life-shortening conditions, and the clear need to extensive long-term veterinarian intervention left P-22 without hope for a positive result,” a statement from CDFW stated. His poor condition suggested that he may have had other underlying conditions that were not yet fully diagnosed.

At the time of his death, P-22 was 12 years old — an old age for mountain lions, who typically live up to 13 years.

California Gov. Gavin NewsomReacted to the news on TwitterP-22, according to, “inspired a new era in urban conservation” in the state of California.

Newsom tweeted that “P-22 is an icon.” 

—Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) December 17, 2022

California Rep. Ted LieuWrite “Rest in Peace”Twitter, while California’s colleague is on California Rep. Adam SchiffHe said that he was “heartbroken” at the news of P-22’s passing.

Schiff: “He was our favorite celebrity neighbor and occasional troublemaker, but he was also our beloved L.A. Mascot.” wrote on Twitter.“But, most importantly, he was a magnificent and wild creature, who reminded all of us that we are part a larger natural world than ourselves.

Actress Valerie BertinelliShared a heartbreak emoji on TwitterIn response to the news. 

—valerie bertinelli (@Wolfiesmom) December 17, 2022

P-22, who has been a key figure in mountain lion research in the region, was probably born in the Santa Monica Mountains. He was able to cross the 101 and 405 freeways and settle in Griffith Park — now the smallest range for an adult mountain lion ever recorded, according to the National Park Service.

Local celebrity in his own rightThe cat was well-known for his ability to roam the streets of Los Angeles and sometimes cause mischief. P-22 made headlines for hiding under a home in Los Feliz, was to blame for the killing of a koala at the Los Angeles Zoo, survived after being exposed to rat poison. 

In a condolence for the cat you love, Beth PrattCalifornia’s executive director of National Wildlife Federation,, stated that P-22 “never fully became a mountain lion” due to the lack of wildlife space in Los Angeles.

Pratt wrote that he hoped Pratt’s future would be filled with endless forests, no roads or cars, and where deer are abundant. Pratt also expressed his hope that he would finally find the mate he had been searching for all his life.